Improvement in curtain-fixtures



A. H. KNAPP. 2Sheets--SheetL Curtain-Fixtures.

N0. 154,400, Patented A g-25,1874..

THE GRAPHIC CO. PHOTO-M11139 8: 4-! PARK PLACENX.

Curtain-Fixtures. I

Patnted Aug. 25,1874.

*of this specification-- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

A. HAYDN KNAPP, OF BRIGHTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMELNT IN CURTAIN-FIXTURES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 154,400, dated August 25,1874 application filed November 14, 1873.

To all whom tt may concern;

Be it known that I, A. HAYDN KNAPP, of Brighton, in the county of Middlesex and State T of Massachusetts, have invented certain Im- --provements in Curtain-Fixtures; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had --to the accompanying drawings making part Figure 1 being a-central axial section of a curtain-roller and brackets constructed withv my improvements; Fig. 2, a side elevationof the pivot-shaft bracket and end view of the curtain-roller in place; Figs. 3 and 4, end views of the spring end. of the curtain roller, re-

spectively, showing different positions of the spring locking device, the pivot-shaft being in cross-section T Fig. 5, a transverse vertical section of the free bearing of the roller and the inner side elevation of its bracket; Fig. 6, a view A ing a modified construction of the parts; Figs.

7 and 8, respectively, top view and central axial section of the free end of the roller and of the bracket supporting it, with the same modified construction of parts as in Fig. 6.

Like letters designate corresponding parts inallofthefigures.

There are in this invention several distinct features of improvement, which I will describe in succession.

My first improvement consists ployment of felt for the bearings or journals of the roller, whereby very valuable results are effected: First, the peculiar andvery uniform friction produced, whether it comes in contact with wood or metal, is especially adapted to balance spring fixtures, whereinit is difficultor impossible to. so adjust the length and strength of the springtothe varying sizes and: weights of shadesthat it will balance the same equally at the topand bottom of the window, balance-shades being apt to run up at the bottom and run down at the top of the window; but the friction of the felt as a hearing or journal issuch that the spring may be adjusted to sufficient strength at the top to hold the shade close up, and yet not be so strong as to overcome the friction when the shade is lowered to the bottom of the window. Second, the

in the emsoftness of the material is such that it never produces the slightest creaking, either in contact with wood or with metal-an objection so prevalent and annoying with journals or bearings made of wood or metal. Third, the clasticity, strength, anddurability of the wool of which felt is made are so great that journals and bearings made of felt will wear for an indefinite length of time without injury thereto. Fourth,

the evenness of its quality and unchangeableness under extremes of heat and cold, dryness, and moisture are so great that it never sticks nor ceases to work well, either in summer or in winter. Fifth, its elasticity enables it toadapt itself to any'unevenness or irregularity of the surface with which it is in contact, so that the roller runs with great facility and uniformity under all ordinary circumstances.

The felt may be employed either as a bearing or as a journal. I find it convenient to use a felt journal, D, at'the spring end of the roller A and a felt bearing, E, in the bracket 0, at the other end of the roller. This bearing, as represented, takes the form of a ring or bushing, secured inside of the bracket-case by shellac or equivalent means.

In order to command a frictional surface of felt sufficient in extent, and of adequate resistant leverage for the purpose, to meet the requirements of all sizes of shades, I use rollerjournals considerably larger than those ordinan'ly used for spring-balance fixtures. For use to run in the felt bearing E asimple wooden journal may be turned on the end of the roller A; or, as shown'in the drawings, the journal at is formed of the requisite size, on a separate block, G, whether made of wood or metal; but in order to securely attach the felt journal D to the pivot shaft or rod H, which is "much smaller in diameter than the journal is designed to be, and to avoid the necessity of making the pivot any larger in diameter than required to fulfill its own function, I cast a softmetal enlargement, e, thereon, there being depressions or irregularities previously formed in the surface of the pivot, to cause the soft metal to adhere thereto firmly, and not be wrenched loose thereon. The periphery of this enlargement also has notches and wings,

or alternate projections and depressions, as seen in Fig. 1, to receive the felt previously cut into corresponding form to fit over the same.

Another feature of my invention consists in a felt rubber friction brake applied to a balance-spring curtain-fixture, operatingwith. an overbalance sprin g-that is, a spring which is adjusted to a strength sufficient to run the.

shade up without momentum when the pressure of the brake is removed.

As represented in the principal figures of the drawings, the friction-brake I is caused to to allow the shade to rise automatically by the force of its spring when it is run up beyond the direct reach of the hand, even to the top of the highest windows, and also for conven ience in raising the shade when it is drawn down to the windowsill or below easy reach. of the hand to save stooping. The force of the spring and pressure of the brake are so adjusted that the brake, when bearing upon the roller, holds the shade at any height, but

does not prevent the raising of the shade by lifting the weighted stick or tassel at the bot tom, so that the shade may be raised and lowered by the direct application' of the hand thereto, notwithstanding the pressure of the brake. The force of the spring 5 of the brake may be varied by an adjusting-screw, k, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, or otherwise.

In the use both of the felt bearing-surface and of the feltfriction-brake,with the shade-rollers, I sometimes use a modification, as shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8. Here, instead of a feltbearing or journal, I use a small metallic journal, E, and metallic or wooden bearing 0, and arrange the friction-brake I so as to press directly upon the roller upon the periphery, as

shown in the drawings, and make av rubber, l, of felt, to bear upon the roller. This rubber may have as large a surface as required, and may fulfill the desirable functions of the felt journal to greater or less perfection, while the small metallic journal is but little liable to creak. This modification answers for the cheaper fixtures,although for the best shadefixtures I prefer the construction first specified.

For these spring-balance fixtures I make the roller entirely of wood, boring one end for the reception of thebalance-spring K and its pivotshaft H, and awooden cap-block, L, fits .upon the end thereof. There is a tubular tenon, m, on thebored end of the roller, and anannular mortiseor depression, a, in the end of the cap block, tofit-ove'r the saidtenon. Inside of this annular space a tubular extension, 0, of the cap reaches into the bore of theiroller, and a thinner smaller extension, 1), projects beyond that a little way, between the outer layer and the nextinner layer, of the spring. K, for the purpose set forth in the Letters, Pat- '"ent for curtain fixtures issued to me July 30,

1872, inwhich a tube is specified having the same use.

Another feature of my invention consists .in the employment of a peculiar locking device attached to the spring end of the roller A, so constructed and operating as to lock or hold the pivot-shaft E from turning, and consequently to prevent the uncoiling of the spring when, the shaft is taken outv of its bracket B. As represented in the drawings,

this locking attachment consists of a simple latch, M, pivoted at r tothe roller-cap, provided with a knob. or projection, s, to seize and move it by, limited in the extent of its movement by a guard, t, andhaving a notch, *u, which fits over a flattened or squared portion of the pivot-shaft H,so as to holdthe same from turning when the latch is slipped over it, so as to embrace the same. The peculiar form of the notch a, with another notch, '0, in one edge thereof, is such. that when the pivot-shaft E enters notch u,-and is turned therein, by the force ofthe spring in the roller, as far as it can be, the latch M will not unlock until the pivot is again inserted into .the bearing of the bracket B, which takes the torsional force of the spring, and thereby. again leaves the lock-latch free to be raised from the pivot.

Another feature of my invention consists in a notch, 51 in, or double shoulders on, the

pivot E, so as to embrace thebracket B and prepent all play or movement of the roller endwise. This device is of value, since it keeps the roller alwaysin proper relation to the bracket B, and prevents its ever becoming crowded over against the other bracket, O, to which otherwise it is liable, so as to cause much friction on the same, since the torsional force of the spring is so great, acting through the pivot E on the bracket B, as to forcibly hold the roller in any position in which it may happen to be placed, or moved endwise.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A journal or bearing for curtain-rollers, having a bearing-surface of simple felt, subisitttjlntially as and-for the purpose herein speci- 2. The soft-metal enlargement 0, cast upon the pivot-shaft of the curtain-roller, and having a notched or winged periphery, in combination with the felt journal cut in the form to fit thereon, for the purpose herein specified.

3. A felt-rubber friction-brake, in combination with a spring-overbalance curtain-fixture, as herein specified.

4. The pivot-shaft-lccking device attached tibn with the bracket B, substantially as and toithe curtain-roller, consisting of the latch for the purpose hereinspecified." Mffcrmedwiththe doub'le notch 12 to re- Specification signed by me this 23d day 0 cei'vethe flattened or 'sguare part 0f the pivot: August, 187 3. U shaft, as described, so that the latch will not a A. HAYDN.,KNAPP. unlock when the roller is out of the brackets, Witnesses: substantially as herein specified. 5 J'. S. BROWN, I

The notched pivot-shaft E, in combina- EDM.F. BROWN, 

